Vaccines and Autism

Autism rates – then and now

In the 1980’s, autism prevalence was about 1 in 10,000[1]. Today, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) prevalence is estimated to be 1 in 36 children[2]. This epidemic of ASD and related neurological disorders has taken place over the last 30 years. Because epidemics are not genetic by definition, we know it is something in our environment that has brought about this change.

Changes to the vaccine schedule

During this same period of time, vaccination rates have increased substantially. In 1983, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) childhood vaccine schedule included 11 injections of 4 vaccines. In 2017, the CDC’s childhood vaccine schedule includes 56 injections of 30 different vaccines[3].

Vaccine ingredients

Vaccines contain, among other questionable ingredients, aluminum and mercury (in the form of thimerosal)[4]. Both aluminum and mercury are neurotoxic – meaning they are toxic to the brain and nervous system (this video illustrates how mercury causes brain neuron degeneration).

Connecting the dots

Allow me to connect the dots: we inject pregnant women and little children with vaccines that contain potent neurotoxins and we see a huge increase in neurological disorders. Coincidence? I’ll let you be the judge of that.

I am aware that the CDC says “vaccines do not cause autism”[5]. This is the same canard that the tobacco industry used when they were adamant that “smoking does not cause lung cancer.” Technically speaking, this statement is true. Why? Because not every person who smokes cigarettes gets lung cancer. But what the tobacco industry didn’t readily admit, is that smoking increases the risk of developing lung cancer. Likewise, neurotoxic aluminum and mercury containing vaccines almost certainly increase the risk of developing a neurological disorder. To quote Sherlock Holmes: “This is elementary, my dear Watson.”

A little common sense

It took a long time for a scientific consensus to be reached, concluding that smoking did indeed increase one’s risk of developing lung cancer. But common sense alone would have dictated that inhaling smoke into your lungs on a regular basis, probably is not going to be good for the health of your lungs. Similarly, common sense dictates that injecting neurotoxic metals – like aluminum and mercury – into pregnant women, babies, and little children is probably not going to be good for their developing brains.

Unsafe at any dose

One might counter my above argument by saying that vaccines only contain very small amounts of aluminum and mercury, and that ultimately it is “the dose that makes the poison.” Plus, the CDC is an authoritative institution; if they say that something is safe shouldn’t we believe them? Let us take a look back at history and examine the CDC’s track record for another toxic metal – lead.

In the 1960’s, the CDC considered the acceptable blood lead level to be 60 µg/dL. Over time, studies showed evidence of harm at lower levels than what had previously been thought acceptable. So, in the 1970’s acceptable blood lead levels were further reduced to 30 µg/dL. In the 1980’s they were reduced to 10 µg/dL. In 2012, they were reduced to 5 µg/dL[6]. It is now thought that there is no safe amount of lead in the human body[7].

So, the CDC missed the mark for 50 years with lead. Do you really think they got it right when it comes to mercury and aluminum?

Mercury in vaccines

A paper titled “Mercury exposure and children’s health” published in the journal “Current Problems in Pediatric and Adolescent Health Care” states the following:

Mercury is a highly toxic element that severely affects humans, especially developing fetuses and infants. There is no known safe level of exposure. Ideally, neither children nor adults should have any mercury in their bodies because it provides no physiological benefit.[8]

After decades of use, mercury (in the form of thimerosal) was removed from most childhood vaccines in the United States in 2001. However, multi-dose flu vaccines which are routinely recommended to pregnant women and children 6-months of age and older, still to this day, contain mercury.

Autism autopsy

In 2017, an interesting study was published titled “Aluminum in brain tissue in autism.” The researchers examined the brain tissue of deceased autism patients and found it to contain some of the highest levels of aluminum ever recorded in humans[9].

Aluminum in vaccines

Where could this aluminum have come from? Let’s take a look at the CDC’s recommended vaccination schedule.

At birth, infants receive the hepatitis B vaccine which contains 250 µg of aluminum (Al). At 2 months, they receive six more vaccines containing an additional 1,225 µg of Al. At 4 months, five more shots for an additional 975 µg of Al. At 6 months, four more shots for an additional 1,000 µg of Al. At 12 months, five more shots for an additional 600 µg of Al. At 18 months, more shots for an additional 875 µg of Al. The total amount of aluminum from vaccines in the first 18 months of life = 4,925 µg[10].

Aluminum safety

A research paper titled “Aluminum vaccine adjuvants: are they safe?” states the following:

“Aluminum is an experimentally demonstrated neurotoxin and the most commonly used vaccine adjuvant… the notion that aluminum in vaccines is safe appears to be widely accepted. Experimental research, however, clearly shows that aluminum adjuvants have a potential to induce serious immunological disorders in humans. In particular, aluminum in adjuvant form carries a risk for autoimmunity, long-term brain inflammation and associated neurological complications and may thus have profound and widespread adverse health consequences. In our opinion, the possibility that vaccine benefits may have been overrated and the risk of potential adverse effects underestimated, has not been rigorously evaluated in the medical and scientific community.”[11]

What should you do?

For the average person, the simplest and easiest course of action might seem to be to follow the advice of “the experts” – follow the CDC’s recommended vaccination schedule and do whatever your medical provider recommends. But think about this: 1 in 6 children in the United States has a developmental disability[12]. 1 in 36 children has an Autism Spectrum Disorder. 43% of US children currently have at least one chronic health condition[13]. If these numbers are acceptable to you, then it makes sense to follow the status quo. Don’t bother questioning authority and follow the well-worn path of the majority. But if you find these numbers to be unacceptable, then you may need to walk the road less traveled and move to the beat of a different drummer.

Risks vs benefits

Ultimately, any medical intervention needs to weigh the possible risks and the potential benefits. The more informed you are, the better able you will be to make a good decision. Start by reading the vaccine ingredient list for any vaccine you may be considering. Then take a look at the vaccine package insert and read the “Adverse Reactions Post-Marketing Experience” section as it will state adverse events that have been reported following vaccination with this product. Once you understand the risks, you can weigh them against the potential benefits and make an informed decision.

For our children’s sake

We all want the best for our children. Let us do what we can to minimize their parenteral exposure to aluminum and mercury. For those interested in a more balanced approach to childhood vaccinations check out Dr. Paul Thomas’ Vaccine Friendly Plan.